About Alcoholism - Alcoholism Information, Research and Treatment

Juvenile Department

LOS ANGELES, CALIF.--The newest problem drinker causing concern among the nation's doctors and mental-health workers is a child, sometimes no more than 11 or 12 years old.

"It is not uncommon to see severe alcoholism problems in kids 9, 10, 11, 13 years old," said Dr. Morris Chafetz, director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. "It is a far more serious problem than we ever imagined." Dr. Chafetz said one estimate is that there are 450,000 child and teenage alcoholics in the country. Alcoholics Anonymous has noted the problem and now has a number of programs... Login to read moreNot a subscriber? Click here to subscribe.